Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani has granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who recently attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court.
The approval was communicated during a hearing before a bench led by Justice Surya Kant, where Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the necessary sanction had been obtained. They also requested the court to list the matter for hearing and sought a restraint order to prevent social media platforms from glorifying or spreading content related to the incident.
The bench also questioned the need to reopen the matter, observing that the CJI himself had chosen not to pursue any action against the advocate. Justice Kant remarked that Chief Justice Gavai had shown “remarkable magnanimity,” emphasizing that the judiciary as an institution remains unaffected by such incidents. Justice Bagchi said CJI Gavai had shown spirit and maintained the dignity of the Supreme Court by brushing off the incident. He added the reopening of the closed issue by acting against the advocate would only create more noise and make fresh social media grist.
The court further noted that reviving the issue might inadvertently amplify it on social media. Despite these reservations, the bench agreed to list the contempt matter after the Diwali vacation for further consideration.